Photo by Simon Westgarth/Gene17 

Name:
Paula Volkmer

How did you first become involved in kayaking?
A teacher of mine from school ran a kayaking club and we used to mess around in the local swimming pool.

How long have you been seriously kayaking?
I think probably about the last 4 years or so – progressively more and more!
 
Have you been part of a canoe club?
Six years ago I joined a uni kayaking club of one of the universities in London- Imperial College Canoe Club. I was pretty active in the club, and that’s really where I started to get very much into kayaking. Clubs are a great way of getting into the sport without having to buy all the kit, and a great way of meeting paddling buddies, although there are always going to be politics.

 

What is it about kayaking you like so much?
I like the way that you get away from it all completely – there is nothing in your mind except making that line or getting that move. Nothing beats that first wave splashing you!  Another aspect is that kayaking has taken me to places where there is no road – it’s a completely unique way to travel and see the world and the outdoors. Without fail, the kayakers I have met all around the world have been fun and friendly!

What disciplines of kayaking have you been involved in?
White water, polo, freestyle, and I’m hoping to start with a bit of slalom!

How did you get into freestyle?
I had been river boating for a while and just decided one day that living in London with Hurley on my doorstep, maybe it was time to get a new hobby and get into playboating. I turned up at Hurley one day in March 2007, met the TV crew and am now addicted!

 

Photo by Doug Cooper

Where have you paddled including travelling etc?
Austria, Costa Rica, Canada (Ottawa, Montreal, Alberta, BC), France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Morocco, Scotland, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey. (Find out more at www.worldkayakblogspot.com/paula)

Where are your favourite paddling destinations?
So far it has got to be either Norway or New Zealand – I haven’t quite made my mind up yet. The beauty of both countries is breathtaking, and the boating is awesome!  In the valley, Hurley on 3 gates or Mapledurham!

Where would you like to travel to?
California, Corsica, and Mexico are places that are high up on my list!

 

Photo by Tim Burne

Who inspires you in kayaking?
Mick Hopkinson, 59 and still running awesome first decents in NZ – tells it the way it is and inspires you to work at it. Rosie Cripps – always friendly and a superb boater -an inspiration for all the ladies out there.

What equipment do you use?
Boat: Dagger Mamba for river running, Jackson Star for freestyle.
Clothing: Stohlquist, Sweet / FnA helmet. Seals Deck.
Paddles: Robson/ Werner

Who has supported you and deserves to be thanked?

All the people who I’ve met and paddled with and especially those who have taken me under their wing and given me tips, those at ICCC (Tim Burne and the rest of the crew), the Norway boys (Per Christian Pedersen, Lars Georg Paulsen, Karl Engen, Morten Bergsland, Mark Burton – check out www.onemileonemonth.com and www.braindead.nu) and the Hurley boys (Gareth Harvey, Pikey, Dan Chamlet, James Bradley, Craig Ayres, Pete Smith).

White Water the Canoe Centre. Aaron and Rhona at Squarerock. All the Gene17 coaches.

 

Photo by Simon Westgarth/Gene17